Sectionalized steering knuckle



Nov. 20, 1956 J. H. BOOTH ETAL 2,771,301

SECTIONALIZED STEERING KNUCKLE Original Filed May 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheetl a/Zzmes H. B00271 /berj4[ 6 m?" Nov. 20, 1956 J. H. BOOTH ETALSECTIONALIZED STEERING KNUCKLE Original Filed May 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet2 .ILKE 22.227215 z/hzilzes f1. B00277 1 barf W G g/(:1

Unite States SECTIONALIZED STEERlNG KNUCKLE Application February 9,1956, Serial No. 564,499

9 Claims. (Cl. 280-962) This invention relates to an improved steeringknuckle construction for use in an independent steerable wheelsuspension in a vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to animproved and simplified steering knuckle assembly in which a separablespindle support bridge contains integral means at one end for pivotallyattaching to the upper control arm of an independent wheel suspensionand in which a separable wheel support spindle structure is fixedlyattached to the support bridge and contains means for pivotallyattaching to the lower control arm of the wheel suspension.

The present application is a division of our copending applicationSerial No. 224,172, filed May 2, 1951.

The steering knuckle assembly of the present invention comprisesseparable components which may be easily mass produced at a minimumcost. In addition, the components are arranged for expeditious assemblyinto the completed steering knuckle.

According to this invention an independent steerable wheel suspension,including upper and lower control arms pivotally mounted on anautomobile frame and ball joints provided at the outer end of thecontrol arms, has a spindle support bridge fixedly attached to the studof the upper ball joint for pivoting of the support bridge relative tothe upper control arm. An integral attachment pad is provided at thelower end of the support bridge for fixedly securing to an attachmentpad of a wheel support spindle structure. An integral spindle extendsoutwardly at right angles to the spindle structure attachment pad and isprovided with means for rotatably securing a vehicle wheel. A lower bossis afiixed to the spindle structure attachment pad by being formedintegral therewith or by being provided with means for fixedly securingit thereto. In either form of the lower boss, an integral steering armmay be extended therefrom for attaching to the steering linkage of thevehicle. The lower boss is fixedly secured to the stud of the lower balljoint for pivoting of the steering knuckle with respect to the lowercontrol arm.

Ready access is provided to the face of a brake backing plate attachedto the steering knuckle either by forming a relatively large accessopening through the web of one form of the support bridge or by formingthe central portion of the support bridge in semi-circular cross-section to prevent substantial obstruction to access. A generally V-shapednotch is provided in the support bridge attachment pad affording accessclearance about the lower attachment boss.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide animproved steering knuckle assembly for use in an independent wheelsuspension.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified steeringknuckle asssembly including a separable spindle support bridge and awheel support spindle support structure :detachably secured thereto in asimplified manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an imatent provedsteering knuckle assembly including eflicient means for fixedly securingan upper control arm spindle support bridge to a lower control armspindle structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a steeringknuckle construction for an independent steerable wheel suspension inwhich the components are easily and inexpensively formable.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a steering knuckleassembly including a spindle support bridge and a wheel support spindlestructure including a lower boss affixed thereto with access clearanceprovided between the support bridge and the lower boss.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an improved steeringknuckle assembly including a simplified spindle support bridge forpivotally attaching to the upper control arm of an independent wheelsuspension and a separable wheel support spindle structure including anattachment pad, an integral spindle shank, a fixedly secured lower bossfor pivotally connecting to the lower control arm of the wheelsuspension and a steering arm integral with the boss.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments,by way of preferred examples only, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary front elevational view of an independentsteerable wheel suspension for a vehicle ineluding a steering knuckleassembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged exploded front elevational view of the steeringknuckle assembly of Figure 1 less the attachment bolts;

Figure 3 is an inside elevational view of the spindle support bridgeshown in Figure 2 showing a broken away portion of the brake backingplate with a bolt in position for removal through a spindle supportaccess opening;

Figure 4 is an inside end elevational view of the wheel support spindlestructure shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged exploded front elevational view similar toFigure 2, but illustrating another embodiment of the steering knuckleassembly;

Figure 6 is an inside elevational view of the spindle support bridgeshown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an inside end elevational view of the wheel support spindleshown in Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIIIVIII of Figure 6 andshowing the reinforcement shank configuration of this support bridgeembodiment.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figure l is shown an independent steerable wheel suspension 10 of anautomobile or the like including a cross frame member 11 and a lowercontrol arm or load carrying arm 12 pivotally attached at its inner endportion to the frame member 11 by means of an attachment bolt 14. Ashock absorber 15 is fixedly mounted on the upper side of the endportion of the cross frame member 11. An upper control arm 16 ispivotally and operatively attached at its inner end portion, as at 17,to the shock absorber 15. A coil support spring 18 is operativelydisposed between the lower control arm 12 and the cross frame member 11to resiliently transmit the weight of the automobile body (not shown)from the frame member 11 to the load carrying arm 12 and thence to awheel (not shown). A torsion rod 19 is connected at one end portion tothe lower control arm 12 outwardly of the spring 18 by means of a link20 and associated attachment means 21 and 22.

A ball joint 24, of the controlled friction dampening type, has itscasing fixedly attached to the outer end portion of the upper controlarm 16and1 has a stud tiltably and rotatably retained in the ball jointwith an attachment portion extending downwardly therefrom. Ananti-friction load carrying ball joint 26 has its casing fixedlyattached at the outer end portion of the lower control arm 12 and has astud 27, tiltably and rotatably retained in the ball joint with anattachment portion extending upwardly therefrom. The studs 25 and 27 arein axial alignment.

According to the present invention, the steering knuckle assembly 28includes a spindle support bridge 29 and a separable wheel supportspindle structure 30, both preferably formed of forged steel or thelike. The support bridge 29 has a body portion 31 including a web 32 anda pair of integral longitudinal reinforcement flanges or ribs 34. Anintegral attachment boss 35 is formed at the upper end of the bodyportion 31 and extends substantially perpendicularly inwardly withrespect to the web 32. A longitudinally inwardly tapered stud attachmenthole 36 is formed through the upper attachment boss 35. The taperedattachment hole 36 is adapted to receive a mating tapered portion (notshown) on the ball joint stud 25 for locking the stud in the taperedhole by means of a stud attachment nut 37.

An integral attachment pad 38 of roughly rectangular plan form is formedat the lower end of the spindle support bridge 29 and is provided withtwo pairs of bolt apertures 39 formed therethrough. An outwardly exposedface 40 is aiforded by the attachment pad With the plane of the faceroughly parallel to the axis of the tapered hole 36, the small angletherebetween being the king pin angle. A V-shaped clearance or cutout 41is formed in the lower margin of the attachment pad 38 between the twopairs of bolt apertures 39.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the wheel support spindle structure 30comprises an elongated spindle shaft 42 with a tapered portion 43 and areduced diameter externally threaded end portion 44 for receiving awheel retaining nut (not shown). Inwardly of the tapered portion 43 isprovided a cylindrical portion 45 succeeded inwardly by an increaseddiameter cylindrical portion 46. An integral attachment pad 47 ofrectangular form is formed at the inner end of the shaft 42perpendicular thereto and has an outwardly facing circular embossment 48between the pad and the cylindrical portion 46. Four bolt holes orapertures 49 are provided through the attachment pad 47 in the samepattern as the bolt apertures 39 in the bridge attachment pad 38.Integral upstanding annular bosses 50 are provided on the inward face ofthe attachment pad 47 about the bolt apertures 49 to provide bearingpads thereabout.

The spindle structure 30 is formed with an integral lower attachmentboss 51 extending inwardly from the inward face of the attachment pad 47and generally perpendicular thereto, with the small angular deviationfrom perpendicular being equal to the king pin angle. A pair of spacedreinforcement webs 53, 53 extend be tween the upper portion of the boss51 and the face of the pad 47. A tapered stud attachment hole 54 isformed through the lower boss 51 and is adapted to receive a matingtapered portion (not shown) on the ball joint stud 27 in axial alignmentwith the upper stud 25. A nut 55 serves to secure the stud in the hole54. An integral steering arm 56 extends generally rearwardly from thelower boss 51 and has an attachment portion 57 at the free end includinga tapered hole 58 for fixedly receiving a tapered portion of anattachment pin (not shown) which is pivotally attached in the tie rodlinkage (not shown) of vehicle.

In order to provide a brake support structure for a wheel (not shown)mounted on the wheel support spindle structure 30, a brake backing plate59 (shown in phantom outline) is adapted for mounting against theoutward face of the spindle attachment pad 47. As shown in Figure 1, thespindle support bridge 29, the

spindle structure 30 and the brake backing plate 59 are assembled andsecured together by pin means herein shown as mounting bolts 60 insertedthrough the mating bolt apertures 39 and 49 and provided with nut 61.

For providing free access to the face of the brake backing plate 59opposing the web 32 of the support bridge 29, a longitudinally elongatedaccess aperture or 1 opening 62 is formed through the web. Thus,elements lying between the brake backing plate 59 and the web 32, suchas a brake mechanism bolt 64, may be easily reached for adjustment orremoval without necessitating removal of the brake backing plate 59 fromthe steering knuckle assembly and without the use of a special wrench orthe like.

In Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, is illustrated another embodiment of theinvention with a modified spindle support bridge 89 and a modified wheelsupport spindle structure 30c included in a modified steering knuckleassembly 90. The spindle structure 300 is the same as the spindlestructure 30 except that the integral steering arm 56 has beeneliminated. The support bridge 89 comprises an upper integral attachmentboss 91, similar to the attachment boss 35 of the support bridge 29, andan integral attachment pad 92 with a reinforcing shank 94 ofsemi-circular cross-section (Fig. 8) connecting the attachment boss withthe attachment pad. The attachment pad 92 is similar to the attachmentpad 38 of the support bridge 29. The reinforcement shank 94 accomplishesthe same purpose as the web 32 and the reinforcement ribs 34 of thebridge 29 ina considerably narrower structure so that there is no needfor the provision of an access opening since the narrowness of the shank94, together with its rounded outwardly facing surface, allows for easyaccess to the opposing surface of the brake backing plate.

It is to be noted that the support bridge 89 can be used in place of thesupport bridge 29 and vice versa depending upon the particularconstruction of the wheel suspension system in order to provide forvariations in clearances, etc.

A separable steering arm of any suitable construction can be affixed tothe steering knuckle assembly by use of one or more attachment bolts orpins used for securing the attachment pads.

From the above description it will be readily understood that thepresent invention provides several embodiments of an improved steeringknuckle assembly used in an independent steerable wheel suspension in avehicle. The basic concept of simplicity of construction and ease ofassembly is maintained in all of the modifications of the steeringknuckle. A spindle support bridge containing upper ball joint connectionmeans is formed separately from the Wheel support spindle structureincluding lower ball joint connection means which may be integral orseparable. The spindle structure may be provided With or without asteering arm affixed thereto. Ready access to the surface of the brakebacking plate opposing the bridge is provided in all of themodifications either by forming an access aperture in a bridge web, orby forming a relatively narrow reinforcing bridge shank of substantiallysemi-circular cross-section. All of the various steering knucklecomponents are easily formable as by forging and require a minimum ofmachining. A substantial advantage is attained in that the connectionmeans for the lower ball joint and the spindle shank, which receive mostof the load, are formed as a small compact unit either by forming theseportions as integral parts of the spindle structure or by affixing theportions in an efficient manner. One of the steering knuckle assemblymodifications is shown without a steering arm, but a separate steeringarm unit of conventional type can be provided as an additional unit andattached to the steering knuckle assembly as by one or more of the fourbolts.

It will be understoodthat modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an independent wheel suspension, a wheel support spindle structurecomprising a spindle shank, an integral attachment pad substantiallyperpendicular to said spindle shank and haviru two sets of boltapertures therethrough with integral annular embossments about saidapertures on the side opposite said spindle shank, and an attachmentboss fixedly interconnected with said attachment pad on the same side assaid embossments between said sets of bolt apertures, said boss having atapered hole therethrough generally perpendicular to said spindle shank.

2. In an independent wheel suspension, a wheel support spindle structurecomprising a spindle shank, an integral attachment pad at the inner endof said spindle shank at right angles thereto and having a plurality ofbolt apertures therethrough with integral annular bearing pads formedabout each of said bolt apertures on the side of said attachment padopposite to said spindle shank, an integral boss formed on saidattachment pad and extending generally perpendicularly from said padside, said boss having a tapered hole therethrough generallyperpendicular to said spindle shank, and an integral steering armextending from said boss.

3. In an independent wheel suspension, a wheel support spindle structurecomprising a spindle shank, an integral attachment pad at one end ofsaid spindle shank at right angles thereto and having a plurality ofbolt apertures therethrough with integral annular bearing pads formedabout each of said bolt apertures on the side of said attachment padopposite to said spindle shank, and an integral boss formed on saidattachment pad and extending generally perpendicularly from said padside, said boss having a tapered hole therethrough generallyperpendicular to said spindle shank.

4. In an independent wheel suspension, a spindle support bridgecomprising a body portion including an integral boss extendingsubstantially perpendicularly thereto at one end and an integralattachment pad at the other end with an integral reinforcement shank ofgenerally semi-circular cross-section extending between said boss andsaid pad, said boss having a tapered hole therethrough generallyparallel to said body portion, and said attachment pad having two setsof bolt apertures therethrough with a generally V-shaped cutout betweenthe bolt aperture sets at the end opposite to said boss.

5. A steering knuckle assembly comprising a spindle support bridgehaving an integral attachment pad at one end and an integral bossextending substantially perpendicularly thereto at the other end, saidattchment pad having a generally ll-shaped cutout in the lower endportion thereof, means for fixedly securing the stud of an upper balljoint to said boss, a separable wheel support spindle structureincluding a spindle shank and an integral attachment pad, means fixedlyinterconnecting said support bridge pad with said spindle structure pad,said spindle structure having a lower boss fixedly interconnectedtherewith with said V-shaped cutout affording access clearance for theboss, steering arm means rigidly interconnected with said lower boss,and means for fixedly securing the stud of a lower ball joint to saidlower boss.

6. A steering knuckle assembly comprising a spindle support bridgestructure having an inwardly extending integral boss at its upper endand an integral attachment pad at its lower end, there being integrallongitudinal reinforcement ribs extending between the boss and the pad,said boss having a tapered hole therethrough for fixedly receiving thestud of an upper arm ball joint, said attachment pad having a generally\l-shaped cutout at its lower end and bolt apertures therethrougharranged on either side of said cutout, a separable wheel supportspindle structure including a spindle shank and an integral attachmentpad at right angles thereto, there being a plurality of bolt aperturesthrough the pad arranged for alignment with the bolt apertures of saidsupport bridge pad, and attachment pins in said bolt apertures fixedlyinterconnecting said support bridge pad with said spindle structure, alower boss fixedly interconnected with said spindle structure and soarranged that said V-shaped cut out aiiords access clearance to theboss, said lower boss having a tapered hole therethrough for fixedlyreceiving the stud of a lower arm ball joint in axial alignment with thestud of the upper arm ball joint and having a steering arm fixedlyinterconnected therewith for controlling said spindle.

7. A steering knuckle assembly comprising a spindle support bridgestructure having an integral boss at its upper end and an integralattachment pad at its lower end with integral longitudinal reinforcementribs extending between the boss and the pad, said boss having a taperedhole therethrough for fixedly receiving the stud of an upper arm balljoint, a separable wheel support spindle structure including a spindleshank and an integral attachment pad at right angles thereto, and meansfixedly interconnecting said bridge attachment pad with said spindlestructure attachment pad, a lower boss fixedly interconnected with saidspindle structure and having a hole therethrough axially aligned withthe hole through said support bridge boss for fixedly receiving the studof a lower arm ball joint and steering arm means fixedly interconnectedwith said lower boss.

8. A steering knuckle assembly comprising a spindle support bridgestructure having an integral boss at its upper end and an integralattachment pad at its lower end, said attachment pad having a generallyV-shaped cutout in the lower end portion thereof, means for fixedlysecuring the stud of said upper ball joint to said boss, a separablewheel support spindle structure including a spindle shank and anintegral attachment pad, means fixedly interconnecting said supportbridge pad with said spindle structure pad, a lower boss fixedlyinterconnected with said spindle structure and so arranged that saidV-shaped cutout affords access clearance to the boss, and means forfixedly interconnecting the stud of a lower ball joint to said lowerboss and steering arm means fixedly interconnected with said lower boss.

9. A steering knuckle assembly for supporting a wheel and a brakebacking plate, said steering knuckle assembly comprising a spindlesupport bridge having attachment means at the upper end thereof and anintegral attachment pad at the lower end thereof, said spindle supportbridge having a central web provided with an access opening therethroughand with integral upstanding reinforcement ribs extending around saidopening between said attachment means and said pad, a wheel supportspindle structure having a spindle shank and an integral attachment padwith a lower attachment boss rigidly interconnected therewith forsupporting the brake backing plate, and means fixedly interconnectingsaid attachment pads with each other, said support bridge access openingproviding ready access to the face of said brake backing plate throughsaid support bridge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,652,264 Booth et al Sept, 15, 1953

